Activists ordered to testify will plead Fifth

by Andy Grimm - Oct. 6, 2010 12:00 AMChicago Tribune

CHICAGO - A Chicago couple whose home was searched two weeks ago by FBI agents said Tuesday they will refuse to testify before a federal grand jury believed to be investigating possible links between U.S. anti-war groups and foreign terrorist organizations.

Stephanie Weiner and her husband, Joe Iosbaker, spoke to more than 50 demonstrators outside the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, where the couple had originally been summoned to testify. They had received subpoenas Sept. 24 when FBI agents searched their home for hours and removed boxes of documents.

The couple said their grand-jury appearance had been postponed by federal investigators after they responded to their subpoena with a letter saying they would assert their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

"We believe we have been targeted because of what we believe, what we say and who we know," Weiner told the crowd of people, many of whom held signs printed with slogans such as "STOP FBI REPRESSION." "We do not know what the next step will be, but we will not be silent."

The couple and Palestinian activist Hatem Abudayyeh were among more than a dozen people in Chicago and Minnesota who had their homes searched or were subpoenad in September.

Randall Samborn, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, declined comment.

The couple could be subpoenaed again or given immunity from prosecution, forcing them to testify or risk jail time for contempt if they refuse to answer questions, said their lawyer, James Fennerty.

Glenn Allen said he was at the courthouse to protest what he believes is government repression.

"I think today anybody could end up just like (Iosbaker and Weiner)," he said. "That's scary."